…Says Buhari Has Nothing To Show In The Sector
SAN FRANCISCO, January 21, (THEWILL) – The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described as weird and clear manifestation of ill will towards the people, the criticism by the APC and Buhari Campaign Organisation against the projects executed by President Goodluck Jonathan in the education sector, including the establishment of new federal universities in the country.
PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, in a statement on Wednesday said it is “despicable that while well-meaning Nigerians and the international community are applauding President Jonathan for his bold initiatives in revamping the sector, the APC is engaged in unwarranted mudslinging and personal attacks, all in an ignoble attempt to score cheap political point.”
The statement said: “We wish to remind the APC that no matter how hard they try, propaganda and lies will never overshadow the truth. The fact that the education sector has experienced stability and growth under Jonathan remains incontrovertible.
“In criticising President Jonathan for establishing 14 new universities in his determination to ensure that all states of the federation have a federal university, the APC and Buhari Organisation have allowed their myopic political interests to becloud their sense of reasoning.
“At no time in the history of Nigeria has any administration achieved this quantum leap in education. The new universities are being funded; they have since taken off academic activities with their courses meeting laid down standard by various academic regulatory institutions, while infrastructural projects are being provided.
“All over the world, the development of universities requires systematic progression and that is why even foremost universities like Oxford, Harvard, and Cambridge are still upgrading their facilities to meet up with the demands of contemporary realities.”
The party noted that all Nigerians universities and other tertiary institutions have remain well-funded under Jonathan and the quality of learning enhanced with upgrade of facilities through special intervention agencies such as TETFund and the special NEEDS Assessment Funds.
“What has the APC to say to the three-pronged programmes of the Almajiri Education System, the first of its kind with over 150 special school already built; the Girl-Child Education and Back-to-School programmes, among others established by President Jonathan which have drastically reduced the out-of-school children profile in the country, particularly in the north?
“Furthermore, what do they have to say to the fact that under Jonathan’s watch, enrollment in basic schools has increased from 23 million in 2010 to 29 million in 2012 and still growing, or to the sponsoring of over 5, 867 lecturers of federal and state tertiary institutions for post-graduate studies out of which 1,375 were sponsored overseas?
“What has the APC to say to the provisions of enabling environment for greater participation of private individuals and agencies resulting in massive establishment of private primary, secondary and tertiary institutions across the country?
“All well meaning Nigerians, especially stakeholders in education appreciate the laudable achievements of President Jonathan in this sector. We therefore challenge the APC to show records, if any, of the achievements of their flag-bearer, General Muhammadu Buhari, and that of states controlled by them in education.
“President Jonathan as a highly educated leader appreciates the importance of education as a vehicle for the realisation of innate potentials of citizens and has continued to demonstrate this through his policies and programmes in the sector,” the PDP said.
